The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 22

After getting back to the apartment, I’d barely set down my things before my phone began to ring. I groaned, not having the patience for any human interaction. It didn’t help that the plane ride home had left me exhausted.

With a sigh, I grabbed it from out of my bag. I barely registered the name on the screen before I thoughtlessly picked up the call.

“Hello?” I said, dropping my keys on the counter. I hurried over to the kitchen and opened the fridge. “This is Evie.”

“Hi, Evie,” Timothy’s voice came through and I nearly dropped the bottle of fruit juice I had grabbed.

I placed the container on the counter and cleared my throat. “Timothy. Hi.”

“Sorry, this is sudden. Considering I just saw you,” he said with a laugh. “I was wondering if you had time this week to discuss the case a bit further?”

“Of course.” I grabbed a glass from the pantry and filled it up with the juice. “Just give me a time, and I’ll likely be free.””

He hummed thoughtfully. “Tonight at four sound good? At the firm?”

“Sounds perfect.” I took a sip of my juice and cringed at how squeaky my voice had sounded.

“Great,” he said, then there was a pause. It seemed neither of us was ready to hang up, at least immediately.

Finally, I spoke up, taking advantage of the silence. “Thank you, by the way.”

“Hm?”

“For yesterday. With my panic attack…you helped a lot.”

I couldn’t see his face, but I could envision the smile that he had grown just based on his tone. “It was no problem,” he said gently.

My grip tightened on my phone and I pressed it closer to my ear. “I’ll talk to you later.”

1/5

Need Top Metal Stamping? Get a 10% Discount (Start Now)

13:03 Wed, 20 Mar S

Chapter 22

of your day,” he

call, I slumped down onto the kitchen floor and pulled my knees. to my chin. I had just taken my anxiety

text from Bruce flashed across the screen. I

can’t ignore me, Coco. I’m playing nice for now, but don’t step

as those pixelated words sat on my screen. There had been several others he sent before

lovely

not into making calls, bad reception and all, but it’d be

me, Coco. I’m not

respond and tell him to back off,

that way.

to my chest, steadying my breaths as they grew shallower. Even from afar, Bruce managed to make me feel disgusted

wanted to consume me, with every

text, there was a harsh knock at my door. The sound alone. made me jump and drop my cellphone. It seemed far–fetched, but I had my suspicions that his threat hadn’t

the thin skillets. Slowly, I hauled myself up and made my way over to the front door. I took a quick peek through the peep hole, but

on the other side. There was barely any time–to address him and the other

Metal Stamping? Get a 10% Discount

Wed, 20

Chapter 22

being blinded

the-” I shielded my eyes and stumbled backward, barely catching myself on the wall. It takes a few blinks before the man is clear again, this time with a whole crowd of people standing behind

you Evie?” the man asked, scratching the stubble under his chin. He had a camera dangling from his neck and a notebook tucked under his arm.

an ‘Evie‘ specifically?”

it’s the woman Timothy apologized to. We’ve been looking around trying to find her,

all those eyes watching me from my doorstep. Hesitantly, I stepped forward and looked at the

the grass and blankets strewn about. They had even set up a small campfire where two reporters

camping

“Just for now. We want to know all about you, Evie. There’s not way that other news station’s going to get the scoop before we

be serious!” I cried

toward me, his camera now trained on my face

locked the door. for security. I knew the press was fierce when it came to a good story, but this was next level in terms of desperation. How would I even explain

passed with me walking around the apartment, trying to find something to do with myself. Any distraction was welcome, whether it was cleaning or folding laundry. The time eventually came for me to head over to the

3/5

Metal Stamping? Get a 10% Discount

13:03 Wed, 20 Mar

Chapter 22